TV with integrated wireless power transmitter

Abstract

Disclosed here is a TV system with an integrated wireless power transmitter. The wireless power transmitter enables the TV system to provide a power source in the form of pockets of energy. A wireless power receiver may be coupled to the electrical devices to receive an electrical power source and transfer it to the electrical device. The receivers in the devices may capture energy from the pockets of energy formed by the wireless transmitter component in the TV system in order to power an electrical device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,340 filed May 10, 2013, entitled Methodology for Pocket-Forming; Ser. No. 13/925,469 filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming; Ser. No. 13/946,082 filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-Forming; Ser. No. 13/891,399, filed May 10, 2013, entitled Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission and Ser. No. 13/891,445, filed May 10, 2013, entitled Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission, the entire content of which are incorporated herein by these references.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a television (TV) system, and more particularly, a TV system having a wireless power transmission function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TV systems have become the center for entertainment in most households today. Families, friends and people in general gather around a TV either to watch news, TV shows, play games, listen to music or just for searching entertainment. At times the use of other devices, such as laptop computers, gaming systems, mobile phones or any devices that may require electrical power source may be used near a TV. The use of electrical power sockets may be limited or impractical in some situations, additional cables may be required and this may become tedious or uncomfortable. Thus, a need exists for an electrical power source that addresses these issues near a TV.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed here is a TV system which may transmit wireless electrical power to other devices within range. The TV system includes a transmitter component which may transmit electrical power through pocket-forming. The transmitter component may be integrated as an individual component within the TV or integrated on existing components of a TV. Receiver devices may be adapted to any electrical devices that may require electrical input.

Numerous other aspects, features and benefits of the present disclosure may be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.

A method for wireless power transmission in a television system, comprising the steps of emitting power RF waves from a transmitter integrated with the television system to generate pockets of energy through pocket-forming, coupling receivers to an electronic device, capturing the pockets of energy at the receivers, and powering or charging the electronic device from the captured pockets of energy.

A wireless power transmission for a television system, comprising a pocket-forming transmitter integrated into the television system for emitting power RF waves to form pockets of energy that converge in 3-d space, and a receiver connected to an electronic device for capturing the pockets of energy to charge or power the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Unless indicated as representing prior art, the figures represent aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates wireless power transmission using pocket-forming, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an internal layer structure for a TV screen with an integrated transmitter, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

“Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more RF waves which converge in 3-d space, forming controlled constructive and destructive interference patterns.

“Pockets of energy” may refer to areas or regions of space where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructive interference patterns of RF waves.

“Null-space” may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because of destructive interference patterns of RF waves.

“Transmitter” may refer to a device, including a chip which may generate two or more RF signals, at least one RF signal being phase shifted and gain adjusted with respect to other RF signals, substantially all of which pass through one or more RF antenna such that focused RF signals are directed to a target.

“Receiver” may refer to a device which may include at least one antenna, at least one rectifying circuit and at least one power converter for powering or charging an electronic device using RF waves.

“Adaptive pocket-forming” may refer to dynamically adjusting pocket forming to regulate power on one or more targeted receivers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, which may not be to scale or to proportion, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings and claims, are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used and/or and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a component level embodiment for a transmitter 100 which may provide wireless power transmission. Transmitter 100 may include a housing 102 where at least two or more antenna elements 104, at least one RF integrated circuit (RFIC 106) 106, at least one digital signal processor (DSP) or micro-controller 108, and one optional communications component 110 may be included. Housing 102 can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Antenna elements 104 may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations part 18 (Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment). Antenna elements 104 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch. Other antenna elements 104 types can be used, for example meta-materials, dipole antennas among others. RFIC 106 may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phases and/or relative magnitudes of RF signals which may serve as inputs for antenna elements 104 for controlling pocket-forming. These RF signals may be produced using an external power supply 112 and a local oscillator chip (not shown) using a suitable piezoelectric material. Micro-controller 108 may then process information send by a receiver through its own antenna elements for determining optimum times and locations for pocket-forming. In some embodiments, the foregoing may be achieved through communications component 110. Communications component 110 may be based on standard wireless communication protocols which may include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications component 110 may be used to transfer other information such as an identifier for the device or user, battery level, location or other such information. Other communications component 110 may be possible which may include radar, infrared cameras or sound devices for sonic triangulation for determining the device's position.

FIG. 2 illustrates TV set 202 that provides wireless power transmission 200 using pocket-forming. A TV set 202 may transmit controlled Radio Frequency (RF) waves 204 which may converge in 3-d space. These RF waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructive and destructive interference patterns (pocket-forming). Pockets of energy 206 may form at constructive interference patterns and can be 3-dimensional in shape whereas null-spaces may be generated at destructive interference patterns. A receiver 400 may then utilize pockets of energy 206 produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptop computer 210, Mobile phone 212, tablets 214 and any electrical devices within reach and thus effectively providing wireless power transmission 200. In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a break down view 300 of a TV set 202 with an integrated transmitter 100. A TV set 202 may include a plurality of components. In an embodiment, a TV set 202 may include a front transparent screen layer 302, a polarized film layer 304, and an LED/LCD backlight layer 306. A TV set 202 may additionally include a transmitter 100. In another embodiment, transmitter 100 may be integrated within the layers instead of as a separate layer.

In other embodiments, most of the circuitry of transmitter 100 can be placed inside TV set 202, with antenna elements 104 placed around the edges of TV set 202. In other embodiments, antenna elements 104 can be placed on the outside surface of the back of TV set 202. In yet further embodiments, antenna elements 104 can be printed micro-antennas which can be built-in on TV set 202 screen. Such printed-antennas can be produced with well-known in the art photolithographic or screen printing techniques. Such antennas can be beneficial because they can be printed at tinny scales which render them invisible to the human eye.

FIG. 4 illustrates a component level embodiment for a receiver 400 which can be used for powering or charging an electronic device as exemplified in wireless power transmission 200. Receiver 400 may include a Housing 402 where at least one antenna element 404, one rectifier 406, one power converter 408 and an optional communications component 410 may be included. Housing 402 can be made of any suitable material which may allow for signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing 402 may be an external hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well. Antenna element 404 may include suitable antenna types for operating in frequency bands similar to the bands described for transmitter 100 from FIG. 1. Antenna element 404 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed video game controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch and widths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inch. Patch antennas may have the advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e. depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further prove advantageous as a receiver, such as receiver 400, may dynamically modify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission 200. Rectifier 406 may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC) voltage generated by antenna element 404 to direct current (DC) voltage. Rectifier 406 may be placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element 404 to minimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may be regulated using power converter 408. Power converter 408 can be a DC-DC converter which may help provide a constant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device, or as in this embodiment to a battery 412. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. Lastly, communications component 410, similar to that of transmitter 100 from FIG. 1, may be included in receiver 400 to communicate with a transmitter 100 or to other electronic equipment.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for wireless power transmission in a television system, comprising the steps of:

transmitting, by a first set of antennas of at least two rf antennas of a transmitter coupled to the television system, power rf waves that converge to form controlled constructive interference at a location of a receiver coupled to an electronic device, wherein the receiver is configured to capture rf energy from the controlled constructive interference and to power or charge the electronic device, and wherein the transmitter with the at least two rf antennas is an individual component or an integrated layer of the television system;

transmitting, by a second set of antennas of the at least two rf antennas of the transmitter, additional power rf waves that converge to form controlled destructive interference, the second set of antennas being distinct from the first set of antennas;

receiving, by a communication component of the transmitter, communications from the receiver, wherein the communications from the receiver comprise a communication signal indicating a location of the receiver relative to the transmitter, and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the power rf waves that converge at the location of the receiver based upon the communications from the receiver; and

rectifying, by a rectifier coupled to the receiver, AC voltage received from the at least two rf antennas into dc voltage for charging the electronic device.

2. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 1, wherein the communication component of the transmitter is configured to send rf signals between the transmitter and the receiver to establish a path or channel for the power rf waves that converge at the location of the receiver, and wherein antennas of the receiver are configured to capture the rf energy from the constructive interference patterns.

3. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 1, wherein the television system includes a front transparent screen layer, a polarized film layer, an LED or LCD backlight layer, and wherein the transmitter with the at least two rf antennas is included in a separate layer attached to one of the other layers in the television system.

4. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 1, wherein the at least two rf antennas of the transmitter comprise antenna elements mounted around edges of the television system, antenna elements mounted on the back of the television system, or antenna elements on printed micro-antennas built-in the television system.

5. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 4, wherein the printed micro-antennas are produced by photolithographic or screen printing techniques.

6. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 4, further comprising operating the receiver in a frequency band of the transmitter wherein antenna elements of the receiver and the at least two rf antennas of the transmitter include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization, elliptical polarization or any combination thereof.

7. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 1, further including adjusting one or more characteristics used to transmit the power rf waves that converge to form the controlled constructive interference at the location of the receiver.

8. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter includes a power source connected to a microcontroller for controlling a radio frequency integrated chip for driving the at least two antennas of the transmitter for transmitting the rf power waves and for adjusting the at least two antennas of the transmitter to form the power rf waves that converge to form the controlled constructive interference at the location of the receiver.

9. The method for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 1, wherein the receiver includes circuitry configured to provide a constant dc voltage output in the range of approximately 5 to 10 volts.

10. A wireless power transmission system for a television system, comprising:

a transmitter integrated into the television system including at least two antennas configured to transmit a plurality of power rf waves that converge to form controlled constructive interference; and

a communication component of the transmitter configured to receive communications via a communications signal indicative of a location of a receiver relative to the transmitter,

wherein a first set of antennas of the at least two antennas of the transmitter are configured to transmit the plurality of power rf waves that converge to form the controlled constructive interference at the location of the receiver,

wherein the receiver is connected to an electronic device and captures rf energy from the controlled constructive interference for charging the electronic device, and

wherein a second set of antennas of the at least two antennas of the transmitter are further capable of transmitting another plurality of power rf waves that converge to form controlled destructive interference, the second set of antennas being distinct from the first set of antennas.

11. The wireless power transmission system for a television system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter is an individual component or an integrated layer of the television system.

12. The wireless power transmission system for a television system of claim 10, wherein the television system includes a front transparent screen layer, a polarized film layer, an LED or LCD backlight layer, and wherein the transmitter is included in a separate layer attached to one of the other layers in the television system.

13. The wireless power transmission system for a television system of claim 10, wherein the transmitter further comprises communication circuitry of the communication component configured to send short rf signals between the transmitter and the receiver to establish a path or channel for the power rf waves to converge in 3d space to form the controlled constructive interference.

14. The wireless power transmission system for a television system of claim 10, further comprising communication circuitry of the communication component for sending rf signals between the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the rf signals are transmitted using wireless communication protocols selected from the group consisting of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or FM radio.

15. An apparatus for wireless power transmission in a television system, comprising:

a transmitter located within the television system for generating power rf waves that converge to form controlled constructive interference, wherein the transmitter includes at least two rf antennas and a communication component configured to receive communications via a communications signal indicative of a location of a receiver relative to the transmitter;

the transmitter is configured to transmit, via a first set of antennas of the at least two rf antennas, the power rf waves that converge to form the controlled constructive interference at the location of the receiver, wherein:

the receiver is connected to an electronic device, and the receiver is configured to capture rf energy from the controlled constructive interference to establish an operating dc voltage for the electronic device, and

a rectifier coupled to the receiver is configured to rectify AC voltage received from the at least two rf antennas into the operating dc voltage; and

the transmitter is further configured to transmit, via a second set of antennas of the at least two rf antennas, additional power rf waves that converge to form controlled destructive interference, the second set of antennas being distinct from the first set of antennas.

16. The apparatus for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 15, further comprising communication circuitry in the receiver and the transmitter wherein the communication circuitry utilizes a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of: Bluetooth, infrared, Wi-Fi, FM radio, and Zigbee for transmitting communication signals between the receiver and the transmitter.

17. The apparatus for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 15, wherein the at least two rf antennas of the transmitter comprise antenna elements mounted around edges of the television, antenna elements mounted on the back of the television, or antenna elements on printed micro-antennas built-in the television system.

18. The apparatus for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 17, wherein the at least two antenna elements of the transmitter and antenna elements of the receiver operate in a frequency range of about 900 MHz to about 5.8 GHz.

19. The apparatus for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 17, wherein the at least two antenna elements of the transmitter and antenna elements of the receiver operate in similar band frequencies that allow a multi-channel operation of transmitting power rf waves that converge to form the controlled constructive interference to power one or more electronic devices.

20. The apparatus for wireless power transmission in a television system of claim 17, wherein the at least two antenna elements of the transmitter include antenna elements with polarization of vertical pole, horizontal polarization, circular polarization, left hand polarization, right hand polarization, or a combination of polarizations.